Sunday, August 31, 2008

The annual 2008 J.D. Crowe Bluegrass Festival now in its 8th year was held in Jessamine County August 28 - 30th. It is held on a 111-acre farm in Wilmore, Kentucky.

J.D. Crowe was born and raised in Lexington, Ky. He started playing banjo at age 13. J.D. was one of the most influential progressive bluegrass musicians of the 70s. Crowe along with his band, New South, has been a fixture on the bluegrass scene for years.

Bob's granddaughter was performing with a group on Saturday morning. We had tickets and arrived a little before they were brought out on stage. Cynthia plays fiddle and violin.

Cynthia (Bob's granddaughter in pink shirt and jeans)

We found some good seats under a big tent along with Ruth and Eric, his daughter and son-in-law.There was some good old bluegrass music and lots of picking and grinning.

Cynthia's mom, Marie, was behind the curtain being a stage mother when the pictures were taken.

We were all very proud of Cynthia and her fiddle playing and Bob and I enjoyed our time with his children and grandchildren.

Besides a jam packed musical lineup, there was a vintage car display, arts and craft show, and a cornhole tournament.

It was a very hot day with temperatures in the 90s. Bob and I left after a few hours to come home and relax in the air conditioning, play some gin rummy, and watch the movie, The Last King of Scotland with Forest Whitaker.

The first song that plays on my playlist while you are reading my blog is J.D. Crowe and his band.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

A friend sent me this story by e-mail.This is an awesome story! Some of you may have seen this but I thought it was so sweet it was worth repeating.

An incredible love story has come out of China recently and managed to touch the world.

It is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century.

The 70-year-old Chinese man who hand-carved over 6,000 stairs up a mountain for his 80-year-old wife has passed away in the cave which has been the couple's home for the last 50 years.Over 50 years ago, Liu Guojiang a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu Chaoqin..

In a twist worthy of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, friends and relatives criticized the relationship because of the age difference and the fact that Xu already had children.

At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman.. To avoid the market gossip and the scorn of their communities, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing Municipality

In the beginning, life was harsh as they had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives.Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, 'Are you regretful? Liu always replied, 'As long as we are industrious, life will improve.'In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.

Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. Liu MingSheng, one of their seven children said, 'My parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over 50 years and never been apart a single day. He hand carved more than 6,000 steps over the years for my mother's convenience, although she doesn't go down the mountain that much.'

The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife's hand even after he had passed away.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

I have been thinking of each of you today. You are all great adults. You have accomplished so much in your young lives and I am so proud of each of you.

Rob, It seems like yesterday when your dad and I brought you home from the hospital. I can't believe that this past April you turned forty. You are now a father to the cutest little boy on earth, Thomas Wyatt, and husband to Sarah, my sweet and wonderful daughter-in-law.

Rob

Anne and Leigh, I am so proud of the young women you have become and all your accomplishments. You have purchased a farm, have great jobs, many friends, and are sweet, caring, loving ladies. You are no longer my babies but thirty year old adults.

Anne and Leigh

I found a poem by Barbara Cage that expresses some of the feelings I have when I think of the three of you. It is printed below.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

I love pottery! I have collected it for years along with other things. I guess I am just a collector.......

Bybee Pottery is located in the rolling hills of Madison County, Kentucky in the small town of Bybee. It has been in operation since pioneer days. This pottery is supposed to have been established and doing business as early as 1845.

The same processes are used today as were used over a century ago. The clay used is found in deposits about three miles from Bybee and is open-pit mined several feet beneath the rich Kentucky topsoil. History records show this same clay was mined by the first settlers of Kentucky and taken to Fort Boonesborough to be used in making crude dishes.

Bybee Pottery has a following around the world. The building is the "real deal" and remains today as it was when the business first started.

I have many pieces of this pottery and love to find a piece at a flea market, garage sale, or on e-bay where it brings a good price. I have even found a couple of pieces at the Goodwill. It comes in several different colors ranging from navy blue to regular blue to speckled and brown, gold, and even a sort of wine color. It is dishwasher safe and can be put in the oven. Bybee Pottery is usually marked on the bottom with a "BB" for Bybee or the words, "Bybee Pottery".

I have heard rumors that the company is thinking of shutting its doors after all these years because the younger generation is not interested in taking over the business. If that happens, this pottery that is already collectible will probably become even more scarce in the future.

My friends and family know that I collect this pottery and have given me many pieces over the years to add to my collection. I have a six place setting of the blue plates that I love and use it often for company. The plates are big and hold a lot of food. Most men like these plates for that reason!

The pictures are a few of my pieces.

I think it is great fun to have something you can look for when you go out or are interested in even if it is books, toys, jewelry or whatever gets you excited. My day is complete when I make a "find" and especially if it is a cheap "find".

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Thomas Wyatt came to spend the night at Nanna Juju's house on Monday night. He was so excited to see the new wagon Nanna got him at the U.S. 127 Yard Sales. He climbed into the wagon and we took off down the hall for a ride right away. He was holding on and his eyes were like big blue saucers. We have to make some trial runs before going outside because TW does not understand yet to stay put. It did not take him but a few minutes before he decided he could be much taller if he just stood up in this big new red wagon. Next, we have to check out all the new toys in the washstand. That is where they are stored because he can open the door and drawers and get the ones he wants anytime he feels like it. This was all very exciting to have a new wagon and new toys. It is such fun to come to Nanna's house and play and spend the night. Nanna Juju will even put his socks on her head and sit in the floor and act like a fool to get a great big smile for a picture. Nanna sure can make Thomas Wyatt laugh at her. He even gets the giggles sometimes because she is sooooooo funny! Next, Thomas Wyatt, takes a trip through his tunnel. This is actually Nanna Juju's dropleaf, gateleg table that she forgot to dust!! Nanna will have to crawl into that tunnel and get all that dust that shows up in the photo.

By now, the eyelids are beginning to get droopy and bath time is just around the corner. Nanna gets out the pj's, lotion, towel, and sudsy bath stuff for 13 month old baby boys and puts him in the kitchen sink for a bath. He lets Nanna wash his hair and pour water over his head and loves being up here in the sink playing.

It is time for Thomas Wyatt to get on the Sleepy Town Train. We will get more pictures and have new adventures next time he visits.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

The U.S. Highway 127 Yard Sales started on 8/7/08 and end tomorrow on 8/10/08. This is the world's longest yard sale and covers 654 miles!

It is headquartered in Jamestown, Tennessee but goes from West Unity, Ohio to Gadsden, Alabama.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people travel Highway 127 looking for bargains from homeowners, professional dealers and vendors.

It is practically impossible to cover the entire route in 4 days.

I live one mile off Highway 127 in Frankfort, Kentucky and believe me you would not know there is a gas shortage if you traveled this road this past week near me.

Several vendors started setting up tents, campers, tables, etc. as far back as Monday this past week.

I have been out several days looking over sale items but I usually hit the yard sales in the neighborhoods bordering Highway 127. I have found in years past that I find the best bargains are from homeowners in the vicinity. A lot of the stuff along the highway is junk as far as I am concerned and nothing I would be interested in buying.

I ventured across 127 this past Thursday and found that several homeowners in one large subdivision was getting ahead of the crowd and was open for business. I found some nice items at bargain prices.

I collect Bybee Pottery and found two pieces in perfect shape for $6.50 total cost of the two.

Then I found a diet book by Dr. Oz. He is on the Oprah show quite often and has written several books. I have his book on aging but did not have the one on dieting. I got the book for $2.00.

I think the best buy I made on my trek through all the sales, garages, yards, and booths was a big red Radio Flyer wagon for my grandson, Thomas Wyatt. The lady said they had used it one time at the state fair to haul their granddaughter around the fairgrounds. It cost me $10.00.

I also found Thomas Wyatt some great new toys. He has grown tired of the ones he plays with at Nanna Juju's house and was in dire need of a few new and more challenging play things!

I took his old toys and put them in bags in the closet and replaced them with the new ones in the little wash stand where his toys reside at my house. He will be so surprised when he visits and sees all the new ones replacing his old toys. He is only 13 months and I can only imagine the look on his face.

The weather here has been in the high 70s and low 80s and just a wonderful weekend to have this yearly event. Cars have been lined up along the highway for miles on both sides today.If you like yard sales and flea markets this is one event you should not miss. I am fortunate that I can run up the road and be on Highway 127 and spend an entire day looking within a 15 mile span of highway.

Monday, August 4, 2008

I found Carry Nation to be such an interesting historical figure. I had to write about this strong woman and her "smashing" antics. I hope you enjoy reading about another Kentucky born girl!

Carry Amelia Moore was born in Garrard County, Kentucky on November 25, 1846. She was born into a well-to-do family and raised in an intensely religious atmosphere. There was evidence of insanity on her mother's side of the family. Carry's youth was mixed with emotionalism and stern suppression. The Moores moved several times and her father lost his fortune during the Civil War. The family moved to Belton, Missouri and Carry went to school and earned a teaching certificate.

Carry fell in love with a boarder in her parent's home, Dr. Charles Gloyd. Carry and Charles married despite her parents' objections. Charles was a heavy drinker and his drinking quickly worsened after the marriage. Carry, pregnant with their only child, left him and returned home to her parents.

Charles drank himself to death and died at the age of 29. Carry went back to teaching and lost her job for improper pronunciation of words. She was replaced with the niece of the man that had complained about her.

Carrie prayed that God would direct her to a second husband that would be able to support her.

She met and married David Nation. He was a minister, lawyer, and newspaper man and was nineteen years older than Carry. Although, he had many occupations, he was not a successful person and financial difficulties along with poor health took their toll on the marriage.

In 1890, the family moved to Medicine Lodge, Kansas and from there to Seiling, Indian Territory (Oklahoma). David fared better as a minister and Carry was not very supportive of his efforts and would correct him while he was in the pulpit.

Carry was always willing to help the destitute and became known as "Mother Nation" to those she helped. She worked with the Women's Christian Temperance Union and as jail evangelist for Barber County where she became aware of the many inmates that had drinking problems.

By 1900 Carry had made a name for herself as an aggressive supporter of prohibition who would use rocks, hammers, or hatchets to destroy saloons and their liquor. She was concerned for the wives and children of drunkards and hated tobacco almost as much as alcohol. It was not unusual for Carry to approach a man on the street, pull a cigar out of his mouth, throw it down and stomp on it. A tall and heavy woman, she would march alone or with hymn-singing supporters into saloons and sing, pray, and shout while she smashed their fixtures and stock with a hatchet. Carry was often attacked and beaten badly and was arrested 30 times between 1900 and 1910. Her antics drew national attention to the issue of alcohol prohibition in the United States. Carry paid her fines with proceeds from her lectures and sales of souvenir hatchets.

David filed for divorce in 1901 on the grounds of desertion after 29 years of marriage. He stated he needed someone to run his house and Carry was never home.

Doctors back then had advised women not to wear corsets because of the negative effects on women's vital organs. This advise was not heeded because they were fashionable. Carry refused to wear a corset and advised young men not to marry a girl who wore a corset!

Very much aware of the symbolism of her name, she registered "Carry A. Nation" as a trademark in Kansas. Her name was used in ways she did not approve. A club in New Orleans was named for her as was a winning American Quarter Horse. "All Nations Welcome But Carry" became a standard phrase in bar rooms across America.

Near the end of her life she purchased property at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, that included a farm and "Hatchett Hall" which she hoped would become a school to promote prohibition. Her final speaking engagement was at Eureka Springs in January 1911.

Carry died June 9, 1911 and is buried in Belton, Missouri, near her parents. Her grave was marked with only a white painted board with her name on it for some time. In 1924, the people of Belton placed a granite marker on her grave. It bears the epitaph she desired: "She Hath Done What She Could".

Her efforts paid off in 1919 with the passage of the 18th Amendment banning "intoxicating liquors." The era known as Prohibition lasted until 1933, when the 21st Amendment repealed the ban.

LIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL

Hi Folks and welcome to my blog. I am a retired lady that enjoys writing about my home state of Kentucky and anything that I think you might find interesting. I am retired from Kentucky State Government. I love to travel, read, write and meet new people. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will return again and again.